White light converters

ABSTRACT

An optical converter assembly includes a housing, a securing mechanism, and a light converter. The housing defines a first opening that receives part of a light-emitting portion of a dental curing light when the housing is selectively secured relative to the light-emitting portion of the dental curing light. The securing mechanism selectively retains the housing relative to the light-emitting portion. The light converter is comprised of a phosphor material and secured relative to the housing such that input light having a first set of wavelengths and radiant power emitted by the dental curing light is received. The light converter converts the input light to an output light having a second set of wavelengths and radiant power and to emit the output light. The input light includes a blue light and an ultraviolet light that polymerizes a dental material. The output light may be a white light.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to dental instruments and, inparticular, to light converters that may be implemented with dentalcuring lights.

Description of Related Art

In some dental procedures, curing lights may be implemented to curephotosensitive materials. For instance, light-curable substances may beused in dental restoration processes (e.g., filling cavities). Thelight-curable substances may be introduced into a decayed or damagedportion of a tooth. The light-curable substance may then be exposed tolight emitted by the curing light, which may cure and harden thelight-curable substances. Some curing lights utilize light emittingdiodes (LEDs). The LEDs may emit light that is a combination of theultraviolet light and blue light.

Inspection of portions of mouths of patients may be conducted by dentalhealthcare providers. The mouths of the patients may be relatively dark.Accordingly, the inspections may benefit from introduction of light intothe mouths of the patients. In addition, the inspections may benefitfrom white light, which may enable a more thorough inspection than canbe conducted with a colored light.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrateone example technology area where some embodiments described herein maybe practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A need therefore exists for a dental instrument that eliminates ordiminishes the above-described disadvantages and problems.

One aspect is an optical converter assembly that may be implemented withdental curing lights. The optical converter assembly may include ahousing, a securing mechanism, and a light converter. The housing maydefine a first opening at a first end. The first opening may beconfigured for receipt of a portion of a light-emitting portion of adental curing light when the housing is selectively secured relative tothe light-emitting portion of the dental curing light. The securingmechanism may be configured to selectively retain the housing relativeto the light-emitting portion. The light converter may be comprised of aphosphors material. The light converter may be secured relative to thehousing such that an input light having a first set of wavelengths and afirst radiant power emitted by the dental curing light is received bythe light converter. The light converter may be configured to convertthe input light to an output light having a second set of wavelengthsand a second radiant power and to emit the output light. The input lightmay include a blue light and an ultraviolet light configured topolymerize a dental material and the output light may be substantially awhite light. The first set of wavelengths of the input light may includewavelengths in a range of about 385 nanometers (nm) to about 515 nm, arange of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, or a range of about 395 nm toabout 480 nm. In detail, the first set of wavelengths of the input lightmay include a first peak at about 405 nm, a second peak at about 440 nm,and a third peak at about 460 nm and the second set of wavelengths ofthe output light may include a first peak at 405 nm, a second peak atabout 460 nm, and a blended spectrum with wavelengths greater than about460 nm. The input light may include a radiant power of about 1067milliwatt (mW) and the output light includes a second radiant power ofabout 173.7 mW. The light converter may be constructed of a polymersheet with the phosphors material arranged in a phosphors matrixdisposed on the polymer sheet. The polymer sheet may includepolyethylene terephthalate (PET). The output light includes a correlatedcolor temperature between about 5400 Kelvins (K) to about 5600 K. Thesecuring mechanism may include a magnetic element that is positionedwithin the housing. The magnetic element may be configured for magneticretention of the housing relative to the light-emitting portion of thedental curing light. The housing may define a second opening at a secondend, which is opposite the first end. The housing may include a conicalportion that includes the second opening and a cylindrical portion thatextends from the first end to the conical portion. The magnetic elementmay extend around a circumferential inner surface of the cylindricalportion. The light converter may be positioned between the magneticelement and the second opening. The optical converter assembly mayinclude a lens element. The lens element may include a conical portionand a cylindrical portion that is coupled to a first end of the conicalportion. The light converter may be adhered to a surface of a second endof the conical portion. The housing may define a second opening at asecond end, which may be opposite the first end. The housing may includea conical portion that includes the second opening and a cylindricalportion that extends from the first end to the conical portion. Themagnetic element may extend around a circumferential inner surface ofthe cylindrical portion.

Another aspect is a dental instrument assembly that may include a dentalcuring light and an optical converter assembly. The optical converterassembly may include a housing, a securing mechanism, and a lightconverter. The housing may define a first opening at a first end. Thefirst opening may be configured for receipt of a portion of alight-emitting portion of a dental curing light when the housing isselectively secured relative to the light-emitting portion of the dentalcuring light. The securing mechanism may be configured to selectivelyretain the housing relative to the light-emitting portion. The lightconverter may be comprised of one or more phosphor materials that may bearranged in a phosphors matrix. The light converter may be securedrelative to the housing such that an input light having a first set ofwavelengths and a first radiant power emitted by the dental curing lightis received by the light converter. The light converter may beconfigured to convert the input light to an output light having a secondset of wavelengths and a second radiant power and to emit the outputlight. The input light may include a blue light and an ultraviolet lightconfigured to polymerize a dental material and the output light may besubstantially a white light. The first set of wavelengths of the inputlight may include wavelengths in a range of about 385 nm to about 515nm, a range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, or a range of about 395 nmto about 480 nm. In detail, the first set of wavelengths of the inputlight may include a first peak at about 405 nm, a second peak at about440 nm, and a third peak at about 460 nm and the second set ofwavelengths of the output light may include a first peak at 405 nm, asecond peak at about 460 nm, and a blended spectrum with wavelengthsgreater than about 460 nm. The input light may include a radiant powerof about 1067 mW and the output light includes a second radiant power ofabout 173.7 mW. The light converter may be constructed of a polymersheet. The polymer sheet may include PET. The phosphors matrix may bedisposed on the PET sheet. The output light includes a correlated colortemperature between about 5400 K to about 5600 K. The securing mechanismmay include a magnetic element that is positioned within the housing.The magnetic element may be configured for magnetic retention of thehousing relative to the light-emitting portion of the dental curinglight. The housing may define a second opening at a second end, which isopposite the first end. The housing may include a conical portion thatincludes the second opening and a cylindrical portion that extends fromthe first end to the conical portion. The magnetic element may extendaround a circumferential inner surface of the cylindrical portion. Thelight converter may be positioned between the magnetic element and thesecond opening. The optical converter assembly may include a lenselement. The lens element may include a conical portion and acylindrical portion that is coupled to a first end of the conicalportion. The light converter may be adhered to a surface of a second endof the conical portion. The housing may define a second opening at asecond end, which may be opposite the first end. The housing may includea conical portion that includes the second opening and a cylindricalportion that extends from the first end to the conical portion. Themagnetic element may extend around a circumferential inner surface ofthe cylindrical portion.

Still another aspect is an optical converter assembly that isselectively secured relative to a dental curing light. The opticalconverter assembly may include a housing, a magnetic element, and alight converter. The housing may define an internal volume between afirst opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. Thefirst opening and a first portion of the internal volume may beconfigured for receipt of a portion of a light-emitting portion of acuring light such that a curing light of the dental curing light isaligned with the first opening and the second opening. The magneticelement may be positioned within the internal volume of the housing. Themagnetic element may be configured for magnetic retention of the housingrelative to the curing light of the dental curing light. The lightconverter may be positioned in the internal volume between the firstopening and the second opening such that input light emitted from thecuring light enters the internal volume and is received by the lightconverter. The light converter may be constructed of one or morephosphor materials that may be arranged in a phosphors matrix. The lightconverter may be constructed such that in response to receipt of theinput light, the light converter emits an output light via luminescencethat is a white light. The phosphors matrix may be encapsulated betweenpolymer sheets. The input light may have a first set of wavelengths thatincludes a first wavelength of about 405 nm, a second wavelength ofabout 440 nm, and a third wavelength of about 460 nm. The output lightmay have a second set of wavelengths that includes a first wavelength ofabout 405 nm and a second wavelength of about 460 nm. The thirdwavelength of the input light is converted to a blended spectrum aboveabout 460 nm. The input light may have a first radiant power of about1067 mW. The light converter may attenuate the first radiant power suchthat the output light has a radiant power of about 173.7 mW. The inputlight may include one or more wavelengths with a range of about 385 nmto about 515 nm; a range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm; or a range ofabout 395 nm to about 480 nm. The output light may include a correlatedcolor temperature between about 5400 K to about 5600 K. The opticalconverter assembly may include a lens element that is partiallypositioned in the housing. The lens element may include a conicalportion and a cylindrical portion that is coupled to a first end of theconical portion. The light converter may be adhered to a surface of asecond end of the conical portion. The output light may be directed bythe cylindrical portion. The housing may include a conical portion thatincludes the second opening and a cylindrical portion that extends fromthe first end to the conical portion and the magnetic element mayinclude a magnetic ring that extends around a circumferential innersurface of the cylindrical portion.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following briefdescription of the drawings, the drawings, the detailed description ofpreferred embodiments and appended claims.

The object and advantages of the embodiments will be realized andachieved at least by the elements, features, and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention,as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of exemplary embodiments tofurther illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantagesand features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that thesedrawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are notintended to limit its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated thatwhile the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationshipsand configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention. The invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary dental instrument assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second optical converter that may be implemented inthe first dental instrument assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second exemplary dental instrument assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second optical converter that may be implemented inthe second dental instrument assembly of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a first example light converter that may beimplemented in the optical converters of FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a second example light converter that may beimplemented in the optical converters of FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a plot of an example phosphor report that may be generatedfrom the first light converter of FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 7 is a plot of another example phosphor report that may begenerated from the second light converter of FIGS. 5C and 5D;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example plot of a relationship between radiantpower and wavelength of an input light of the dental instrumentassemblies of FIGS. 1 and 3; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example plot of a relationship between radiantpower and wavelength of an output light of the dental instrumentassemblies of FIGS. 1 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The following exemplary embodiments are generally described inconnection with dental curing lights and light converters implementedwith the dental curing lights. The principles of the present invention,however, are not limited to dental curing lights. In particular, theprinciples of the present invention may be implemented in other medicalor dental devices. In addition, it will be understood that, with thebenefit of the present disclosure, the light converters and/or thedental curing lights disclosed herein can have a variety of shapes,sizes, configurations, and arrangements. Furthermore, the invention isdescribed connected with a dental curing operation. However, theinvention may be successfully used in connection with other types ofmedical or dental procedures.

Embodiments of the light converters and systems implementing lightconverters are described with reference to accompanying figures in whichitems and features labelled with the same item number include a similarstructure and function unless described otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary dental instrument assembly 100(hereinafter, “first assembly 100”) according to at least one embodimentof the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of the firstassembly 100. The first assembly 100 may be configured to emit an outputlight 110. For example, the first assembly 100 may include a firstoptical converter 200 that is configured to convert an input light 108emitted from a dental curing light 104 to the output light 110.

The output light 110 is a white light or substantially a white light.The term “white light”, as used in the present disclosure, refers tolight having a combination of wavelengths that stimulates red, green,and blue receptors of the human eye to create the appearance orperception of white to an observer. For example, “white light” mayinclude light having a color temperature in a range of from about 1500 Kand about 20000 K, in a range of from about 2000K and about 8000 K, in arange of from about 2700 K to about 6500 K, or in another colortemperature range that is suitable for producing white light. The whitelight may be used by a dental professional to illuminate a portion of amouth of a patient. For instance, during a dental procedure, portions ofthe mouth of a patient may be dark, which may make evaluation of theportions difficult. The first assembly 100 is configured to emit theoutput light 110 that illuminates the portions, which may enable orassist in diagnosis and/or evaluation of dental issues, such as cariesor cracks in teeth.

In FIG. 1, the first optical converter 200 is depicted exploded from thedental curing light 104. In some embodiments, the dental curing light104 may be configured as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/133,129, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.In some embodiments, the dental curing light 104 may include a VALO®curing light (commercially available from Ultradent Products, Inc.) oranother suitable dental curing light.

The first optical converter 200 is configured to be selectively securedor attached relative to a light-emitting portion 106 of the dentalcuring light 104. Selective securement or attachment between the firstoptical converter 200 and the light-emitting portion 106 may facilitateuse of the first assembly 100 by enabling a user to readily attach andremove the second optical converter 200 from the dental curing light 104to change the output of the dental curing light 104. For instance, thedental curing light 104 may be used to polymerize a dental material in amouth of a patient. During a polymerizing process and/or following thepolymerizing process, a dental professional may secure the first opticalconverter 200 to the light-emitting portion 106. The dental professionalmay then illuminate the mouth of the patient, which may enableevaluation of the dental material. The dental professional may thenremove the first optical converter 200 from the light-emitting portion106 and continue the polymerizing process.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the first opticalconverter 200, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of the firstoptical converter 200. For example, the first optical converter 200 mayinclude a securing mechanism 112, a housing 120, and a light converter122, which are depicted exploded from one another in FIG. 2.

With combined reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the securing mechanism 112 isused to selectively retain the first optical converter 200 to thelight-emitting portion 106. The securing mechanism 112 may include anymechanism that enables the selective securement between the firstoptical converter 200 and the light-emitting portion 106. For instance,in the depicted embodiment, the securing mechanism 112 may include amagnetic element. The magnetic element is configured for magneticretention of the first optical converter 200 to a ferrite ring 116 ofthe light-emitting portion 106. A magnetic force between the firstoptical converter 200 and the ferrite ring 116 may be sufficient tosecure the first optical converter 200 relative to the dental curinglight 104 in most or all orientations (e.g., sufficient to overcomegravity). The first assembly 100 may accordingly be held in anyorientation without the first optical converter 200 being displacedrelative to the dental curing light 104.

In the depicted embodiment, the magnetic element includes a magneticring. The magnetic ring may extend around a circumferential innersurface 121 of the housing 120. Additionally, the magnetic ring maydefine an opening 134. The opening 134 may be configured such that theinput light 108 may exit the light-emitting portion 106 and pass throughthe magnetic ring. In some embodiments, the magnetic element may includea portion of a magnetic ring such as a magnetic arc. Alternatively, themagnetic element may include a rectangular magnetic feature or anothersuitable magnetic feature.

In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 112 may include anotherphysical coupling configured to retain the first optical converter 200to the dental curing light 104. For instance, the first opticalconverter 200 may include a threaded fastener, which may be mechanicallycoupled to a threaded portion of the dental curing light 104.Additionally or alternatively, the securing mechanism 112 may include apress-fit coupling, an adhesive coupling, a retainer, or a sleeve thatextends over a head 118 of the curing light, or another suitablesecuring mechanism 112.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the securing mechanism 112 ispositioned within an internal volume 124 defined by the housing 120. Theinternal volume 124 is defined between a first opening 126 at a firstend 128 and a second opening 130 at a second end 132. The first end 128is opposite the second end 132. In some embodiments, the internal volume124 may be configured such that when the first optical converter 200 isretained relative to the dental curing light 104, a portion of thelight-emitting portion 106 is positioned within the internal volume 124.Additionally, in these and other embodiments, when the first opticalconverter 200 is retained relative to the dental curing light 104, thefirst end 128 may extend over the portion of the light-emitting portion106 positioned in the internal volume 124.

The housing 120 may include a conical portion 136 that includes thesecond opening 130 and a cylindrical portion 138 that extends from thefirst end 128 to the conical portion 136. The housing 120 defines theinternal volume 124 that may include one or more step features 140A,140B, and 140C (generally, step feature 140 or step features 140). Thestep features 140 are defined on an internal wall of the housing 120.The step features 140 may position, at least partially, the lightconverter 122 and/or the securing mechanism 112 in the internal volume124. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, the securing mechanism112 may be positioned between the first step feature 140A and the secondstep feature 140B. Additionally, the light converter 122 may bepositioned between the magnetic ring and the second opening 130 and maybe positioned against the third step feature 140C. The housing 120 mayinclude an opaque or a solid structure that prohibits or substantiallyprohibits the output light 110 from being emitted from the housing 120.

The light converter 122 may be positioned in the internal volume 124 ofthe housing 120. The light converter 122 may be secured in the internalvolume 124. For instance, the light converter 122 may be secured againstthe third step feature 140C. The light converter 122 may besubstantially disk-shaped. The light converter 122 may include adiameter 150. The diameter 150 of the light converter 122 may be greaterthan a diameter of the opening 134 defined by the magnetic ring.

Accordingly, the input light 108 may propagate through a portion of theinternal volume 124 (e.g., between the light converter 122 and the firstopening 126) and interface with the light converter 122. The lightconverter 122 may receive the input light 108 and emit the output light110. The output light 110 may propagate from the first optical converterassembly 200 through the second opening 130.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second exemplary dental instrument assembly 300(hereinafter, “second assembly 300”) according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view ofthe second assembly 300. Similar to the first assembly 100, the secondassembly 300 may be configured to emit the output light 110.

The second assembly 300 may include a second optical converter 400. Thesecond optical converter 400 may be configured to convert the inputlight 108 emitted from the dental curing light 104 to the output light110. In addition, the second optical converter 400 may be configured tofocus or otherwise direct the output light 110. For instance, the secondoptical converter 400 may be configured to guide the output light 110 toa particular portion of a mouth of a patient.

In FIG. 3, the second optical converter 400 is depicted exploded fromthe dental curing light 104. The second optical converter 400 isconfigured to be selectively secured or attached relative to thelight-emitting portion 106 of the dental curing light 104. Selectivesecurement or attachment between the second optical converter 400 andthe light-emitting portion 106 may facilitate use of the second assembly300 by enabling a user to readily attach and remove the second opticalconverter 400 from the dental curing light 104 to change the output ofthe dental curing light 104.

For instance, the dental curing light 104 may be used to polymerize adental material that may be used in a dental procedure in a mouth of apatient. During a polymerizing process and/or following the polymerizingprocess, a dental professional may secure the second optical converter400 to the light-emitting portion 106. The dental professional may thenilluminate the mouth of the patient, which may enable evaluation of thedental material. The dental professional may then remove the secondoptical converter 400 from the light-emitting portion 106 and continuethe polymerizing process.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the second opticalconverter 400, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4 depicts a sectional side view of the second opticalconverter 400. For example, the second optical converter 400 includes asecuring mechanism 406, a housing 402, a lens element 404, and the lightconverter 122. The securing mechanism 406, the housing 402, the lenselement 404, and the light converter 122 are depicted exploded from oneanother in an x-direction.

With combined reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the securing mechanism 406 maybe used to selectively retain the second optical converter 400 to thelight-emitting portion 106 of the curing light 104. The securingmechanism 406 may include any mechanism that enables the selectivesecurement between the second optical converter 400 and thelight-emitting portion 106.

For instance, in the depicted embodiment, the second optical converter400 may include a magnetic element. The magnetic element is configuredfor magnetic retention of the second optical converter 400 to theferrite ring 116 of the light-emitting portion 106. A magnetic forcebetween the second optical converter 400 and the ferrite ring 116 may besufficient to secure the second optical converter 400 relative to thedental curing light 104 in most or all orientations (e.g., sufficient toovercome gravity). The second assembly 300 may accordingly be held inany orientation without the second optical converter 400 becomingdisplaced relative to the dental curing light 104.

In the depicted embodiment, the magnetic element includes a magneticring that also acts as the securing mechanism 406. The magnetic ring maybe positioned in the housing 402. The magnetic element may extend arounda circumferential inner surface 408 of the housing 402. Additionally,the magnetic ring may define an opening 410. The opening 410 may beconfigured such that the input light 108 may exit the light-emittingportion 106 and pass through the magnetic ring to contact the lightconverter 122.

In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 406 may include anotherphysical coupling that is configured to retain the second opticalconverter 400 to the dental curing light 104. For instance, the secondoptical converter 400 may include a threaded fastener, which may bemechanically coupled to a threaded portion of the dental curing light104. Additionally or alternatively, the securing mechanism 406 mayinclude a press-fit coupling, an adhesive coupling, a retainer, or asleeve that extends over the head 118 of the dental curing light 104, oranother suitable securing mechanism 406.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the securing mechanism 406 ispositioned within the internal volume 414 (FIG. 4) defined by thehousing 402. The internal volume 414 is defined between a first opening420 at a first end 422 and a second opening 416 at a second end 418. Thefirst end 422 is opposite the second end 418.

In some embodiments, the internal volume 414 may be configured such thatwhen the second optical converter 400 is retained relative to the dentalcuring light 104, a portion of the light-emitting portion 106 ispositioned within the internal volume 414. For example, when the secondoptical converter 400 is retained relative to the dental curing light104, a bottom edge 440 at the first end 422 may contact or be adjacentto a light surface 442 that surrounds at least a portion of thelight-emitting portion 106. Additionally, in these and otherembodiments, when the second optical converter 400 is retained relativeto the dental curing light 104, the first end 422 may extend over theportion of the light-emitting portion 106 positioned in the internalvolume 414.

The housing 402 of the second optical converter 400 may include aconical portion 436 that includes the second opening 416 and acylindrical portion 438 that extends from the first end 422 to theconical portion 436. The second opening 416 of the housing 402 may besmaller than the second opening 130 of the housing 120 described above.The housing 402 may include an opaque or a solid structure thatprohibits or substantially prohibits the output light 110 from beingemitted from the housing 402. The internal volume 414 may include a stepfeature 421 that may be defined on an internal wall of the housing 402.The securing mechanism 406 may be positioned against the step feature421 when the second optical converter 400 is assembled.

The lens element 404 includes a conical portion 423 and a cylindricalportion 425. The cylindrical portion 425 is coupled to or integrallyformed at a first end 427 to the conical portion 423. The lens element404 may be at least partially positioned in the housing 402 when thesecond optical converter 400 is assembled. For instance, in FIG. 3, thelens element 404 is depicted positioned in the housing 402. Whenpositioned in the housing 402, the cylindrical portion 425 or a portionthereof may extend from and be external from the housing 402.Accordingly, the output light 110 may be optically transmitted throughthe conical portion 423, which may focus the output light 110 to thecylindrical portion 425. The output light 110 may be propagated throughthe cylindrical portion 425. A substantially portion of the output light110 may exit the cylindrical portion 425 at an end 437 of thecylindrical portion 425.

The light converter 122 may be positioned in the second opticalconverter 400. The light converter 122 may be configured to convert theinput light 108 to the output light 110. The light converter 122 may bearranged such that the input light 108 is converted to the output light110 prior to entry into the lens element 404. For example, in thedepicted embodiment, the light converter 122 may be adhered or otherwiseattached to a surface 429 of a second end 431 of the conical portion423. Accordingly, the input light 108 that is emitted from the curinglight 104 may enter the light converter 122. The light converter 122 mayconvert the input light 108 and emit the output light 110 through thelens element 404. The output light 110 enters the conical portion 423and is directed to the cylindrical portion 425. The output light 110 maythen exit the cylindrical portion 425 at the end 437 of the cylindricalportion 425

With combined reference to FIGS. 1-4, the light converter 122 mayinclude one or more phosphor materials (i.e., photoluminescentmaterials). For example, the light converter 122 may be comprised of aphosphors matrix including a plurality of phosphor particles dispersedor arranged in a matrix. The phosphors material of the light converter122 may include a specific combination of phosphors that are configuredto absorb at least a portion of the input light 108 and to convert andreemit the absorbed input light 108 to generate the output light 110.The output light 110 emitted from the light converter 122 may includelight emitted by the phosphor materials of the light converter 122 andmay include any portion of the input light 108 that passes through thelight converter 122 without being converted by the phosphor materials.Conversion of the input light 108 to the output light 110 is vialuminescence that occurs in the phosphor material.

Conversion performed by the light converter 122 may result in the outputlight 110 having one or more different characteristics from the inputlight 108. For example, the input light 108 may have a first set ofwavelengths and a first radiant power. The light converter 122 isconfigured to convert the input light 108 to the output light 110 havinga second set of wavelengths and/or a second radiant power. The secondset of wavelengths may be different or include at least one differentwavelength than the first set of wavelengths. Additionally, the secondradiant power may be different from the first radiant power.

The input light 108 may include a curing light emitted from one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs) 154. The input light 108 emitted from thecuring light may include blue light, violet light, ultraviolet light, orsome combination thereof. For instance, the input light 108 may includethe first set of wavelengths in a wavelength range of about 385nanometers (nm) to about 515 nm, in a wavelength range of about 440 nmto about 480 nm, in a wavelength range of about 395 nm to about 480 nm,or in another wavelength range suitable for polymerizing dentalmaterials or performance of another dental process. Additionally oralternatively, the input light 108 may include a first radiant power ina power range of about 950 milliwatt (mW) to about 1150 mW, in a powerrange of about 1000 mW to about 1100 mW, in another suitable powerrange, having a radiant power of about 1067 mW, or having anothersuitable radiant power.

As discussed above, the output light 110 is substantially white light.In addition, the light converter 122 may include a phosphors matrixconfigured such that the output light 110 includes a correlated colortemperature (CCT) between about 5400 Kelvins (K) to about 5600 K. Theoutput light 110 may accordingly have a CCT that approximates orsimulates daylight, which may result in the output light 110 beingeffective for inspection within a mouth of a patient.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the first assembly100, the second assembly 300, the first optical converter 200, thesecond optical converter 400, or some combination thereof withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, thefirst assembly 100 may include any number of the described devices.Moreover, the separation of various components in the embodimentsdescribed herein is not meant to indicate that the separation occurs inall embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate example light converters 500A and 500B. Forexample, the light converters 500A and 500B may be implemented as thelight converter 122 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. FIGS. 5A and5B depict a first example light converter 500A. The first lightconverter 500A is an example of an adhesive phosphors lamination. FIGS.5C and 5D depict a second example light converter 500B. The second lightconverter 500B is an example of a diffused phosphor lamination. Thefirst and second light converters 500A and 500B are collectivelyreferred to as light converters 500.

The light converters 500 are laminations of one or more layers orsubstrates of material. For instance, the light converters 500 mayinclude one or more support substrates 502. The support substrates 502may include a polymer sheet, which may be comprised at least partiallyof polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another suitable polymer. Thepolymer sheet may make the light converters 500 flexible, which mayenable assembly of the light converters 500. For instance, the lightconverters 500 may be introduced into the housing 120 (of FIG. 1) afterthe securing mechanism 112 is attached to the housing 120.

The light converters 500 may also include one or more phosphormaterials, such as in a phosphors matrix 504. The phosphors matrix 504may be positioned on one or both of the support substrates 502. Forinstance, the phosphors matrix 504 may be painted or otherwise disposedon the support substrates 502 and/or may be encapsulated between thesupport substrates 502.

In response to the phosphors matrix 504 receiving input light (e.g., 108of FIGS. 1-4), the phosphors matrix 504 may emit an output light (e.g.,110 of FIGS. 1-4) via luminescence. The input light may include bluelight, violet light, ultraviolet light, or some combination thereof andthe output light may be a white light. The light converters 500 may alsoattenuate radiant power of the input light. For example, the radiantpower of the output light may be about one-sixth of the radiant power ofthe input light. For instance, the input light may include a radiantpower in a range of about 1000 mW to about 1100 mW, e.g., about 1067 mW.The output light may include a radiant power in a range of about 130 mWto about 180 mW, e.g., about 173 mW.

The first light converter 500A of FIGS. 5A and 5B includes an adhesivelayer 508. The adhesive layer 508 may enable attachment of the firstlight converter 500A to a surface. For instance, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, the light converter 500A, which may correspond to lightconverter 122, is adhered to the surface 429 of the lens element 404.

The second light converter 500B of FIGS. 5C and 5D includes a diffusionlayer 506. The diffusion layer 506 may spread or diffuse the outputlight. For instance, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the lightconverter 500B, which may correspond to light converter 122, may diffusethe output light 110 as it exits the first optical converter 200.

FIGS. 6-9 are example plots 600, 700, 800, and 900 that represent colorpower spectra. The plots 600, 700, 800, and 900 illustrate a radiantpower of a light as a function of wavelength. FIG. 6 depicts a firstplot 600. The first plot 600 depicts a relationship between radiantpower and wavelength of input light such as the input light 108. Thefirst plot 600 is representative of an input light that is generated andoutput by a VALO® curing light. FIGS. 7-9 depicts plots 700, 800, and900 that depict example relationships between radiant power andwavelength of output light such as the output light 110. The outputlights of FIGS. 7-9 may be output by the light converters such as lightconverters 122, 500A, and 500B described above. Each of the plots 600,700, 800, and 900 are described below.

FIG. 6 illustrates the first plot 600. The first plot 600 depicts arelationship between radiant power and wavelength of input light such asthe input light 108. In the first plot 600, the y-axis representsradiant power in milliWatt per nanometer (mW/nm). The x-axis representswavelengths in nm. The scale of the radiant power is from 0 to 30 mW/nm.The scale of the wavelengths is from 360 to 830 nm. The first plot 600of the input light may be emitted from a set of LEDs. The input lightmay include three peaks 602, 604, and 606. The first peak 602 is atabout 405 nm, a second peak 604 is at about 440 nm, and a third peak 606is at about 460 nm. In other embodiments, other peaks may occurdepending on the curing light and/or LEDs included therein. The radiantpower of the input light depicted in FIG. 6 is about 1067 mW.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second plot 700. The second plot 700 depicts arelationship between radiant power and wavelength of output light suchas the output light 110 described elsewhere in the present disclosure.The output light plotted in FIG. 7 results from impingement of inputlight of FIG. 6 on the light converters (e.g., 122, 500A, or 500B). Inthe second plot 700, the y-axis represents radiant power in mW/nm. Thex-axis represents wavelengths in nm. The scale of the radiant power isfrom 0 to 3 mW/nm. The scale of the wavelengths is from 360 to 830 nm.The output light may include two peaks 702 and 704 and a blendedspectrum 706. The first peak 702 is at about 405 nm, which may be aboutthe same as the first peak 602 of the first plot 600. The first peak 702in the second plot 700 has a smaller radiant power than the first peak602 of the plot 600. The second peak 704 is at about 460 nm, which issimilar to the third peak 606 of the plot 600. The second peak 704 ofthe second plot 700 includes a lower radiant energy than the third peak606 of the first plot 600. The blended spectrum 706 includes wavelengthsthat are greater than about 460 nm. For instance, in a wavelength rangebetween about 501 nm and about 642 nm, the radiant power may be in arange of about 0.35 and about 0.5 mW/nm. The radiant power of the outputlight depicted in FIG. 7 is about 173 mW, which is about one-sixth ofthe radiant power of the input light of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a third plot 800 of an example phosphor report. The phosphorreport may be generated from the first light converter 500A that omitsincludes a diffuser layer (e.g., 506 of FIG. 5) based on input lightthat may be represented by the first plot 600 of FIG. 6. The phosphorreport may be generated by measuring characteristics of output light(e.g., 110 of FIGS. 1-4) that is generated by the first light converter500A. For instance, an input light may be received by the first lightconverter 500A. The first light converter 500A may convert the inputlight to an output light that is represented by the third plot 800 inthe phosphor report.

In the third plot 800, the y-axis represents the radiant power and thex-axis of the third plot 800 represents a wavelength in nanometers (nm).The third plot 800 illustrates that there may be a first peak 802 atabout 405 nm and a second peak 806 at about 440 nm. The third plot 800may also include smaller peaks 808 and 810 at about 540 nm and about 650nm. The smaller peaks 808 and 810 may be included in a blended spectrum812. The blended spectrum 812 may include wavelengths that are greaterthan about 460 nm.

In the depicted embodiment, the output light represented in the thirdplot 800 may have optical properties that include a CIEx value of about0.3304, a CIEy value of about 0.3508, a relative brightness (%) of about1.0, a color temperature in Kelvin (K) of about 5487, and a colorrendering index (CRI) value of about 91.

FIG. 9 is a plot 900 of an example phosphor report. The phosphor reportmay be generated using the second light converter 500B that includes adiffuser layer (e.g., 506 of FIG. 5). The phosphor report may begenerated by measuring characteristics of output light (e.g., 110 ofFIGS. 1-4) that is generated by the second light converter 500B. Forinstance, an input light may be received by the second light converter500B. The second light converter 500B may convert the input light to anoutput light that is represented by the plot 900 in the phosphor report.

In the plot 900, the y-axis represents the radiant power and the x-axisof the plot 900 represents a wavelength in nanometers (nm). The plot 900illustrates that there may be a first peak 902 at about 460 nm. The plot900 may also include smaller peaks 904 and 906 at about 540 nm and about620 nm. The smaller peaks 904 and 906 may be included in a blendedspectrum 908. The blended spectrum 908 may include wavelengths that aregreater than about 460 nm. In the depicted embodiment, the output lightrepresented in the plot 900 may have optical properties that include aCIEx value of about 0.3330, a CIEy value of about 0.3138, a relativebrightness (%) of about 1.0, a color temperature in Kelvin (K) of about5460, and a color rendering index (CRI) value of about 92.

When compared to the third plot 800, the diffuser may shift the firstpeak 802 of the third plot 800. In particular, in the fourth plot 900there is little radiant power around 405 nm. Additionally, the diffusermay lower the peaks 806 and 902 that occur at about 460 nm. Forinstance, in the third plot 800, the second peak 806 may be over about50 mW/nm. In the fourth plot 900, the first peak 902 may have a radiantpower over 45 mW/nm.

In some embodiments, the first light converter 500A and/or the secondlight converter 500B may include a RADIANT FLEX™ phosphor sheet. Forexample, the first light converter 500A and/or the second lightconverter 500B may include an RFS5500K RADIANT FLEX™ phosphor sheet.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims,which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical converter assembly comprising: ahousing that defines a first opening at a first end, the first openingbeing configured for receipt of a portion of a light-emitting portion ofa dental curing light when the housing is selectively secured relativeto the light-emitting portion of the dental curing light; a securingmechanism that is configured to selectively retain the housing relativeto the light-emitting portion; and a light converter comprising aphosphor material, the light converter being secured relative to thehousing such that an input light having a first set of wavelengths and afirst radiant power emitted by the dental curing light is received bythe light converter, wherein the light converter is configured toconvert the input light to an output light having a second set ofwavelengths and a second radiant power and to emit the output light thatis substantially a white light.
 2. The optical converter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the input light includes a blue light and anultraviolet light configured to polymerize a dental material.
 3. Theoptical converter assembly of claim 2, wherein the first set ofwavelengths of the input light includes wavelengths in a range of about385 nanometers (nm) to about 515 nm.
 4. The optical converter assemblyof claim 2, wherein the first set of wavelengths of the input lightincludes wavelengths in a range of about 440 nanometers (nm) to about480 nm.
 5. The optical converter assembly of claim 2, wherein the firstset of wavelengths of the input light includes wavelengths in a range ofabout 395 nanometers (nm) to about 480 nm.
 6. The optical converterassembly of claim 1, wherein: the first set of wavelengths of the inputlight includes a first peak at about 405 nanometers (nm), a second peakat about 440 nm, and a third peak at about 460 nm; and the second set ofwavelengths of the output light includes a first peak at 405 nm, asecond peak at about 460 nm, and a blended spectrum with wavelengthsgreater than about 460 nm.
 7. The optical converter assembly of claim 6,wherein the input light includes a radiant power of about 1067 milliwatt(mW) and the output light includes a second radiant power of about 173.7mW.
 8. The optical converter assembly of claim 7, wherein: a phosphormaterial are arranged in a phosphors matrix; and the light converter isconstructed of a polymer sheet with the phosphors matrix disposedthereon.
 9. The optical converter assembly of claim 1, wherein theoutput light includes a correlated color temperature between about 5400Kelvins (K) to about 5600 K.
 10. The optical converter assembly of claim1, wherein the securing mechanism includes a magnetic element that ispositioned within the housing, wherein the magnetic element isconfigured for magnetic retention of the housing relative to thelight-emitting portion of the dental curing light.
 11. The opticalconverter assembly of claim 10, wherein: the housing defines a secondopening at a second end which is opposite the first end; the housingincludes a conical portion that includes the second opening and acylindrical portion that extends from the first end to the conicalportion; the magnetic element extends around a circumferential innersurface of the cylindrical portion; and the light converter ispositioned between the magnetic element and the second opening.
 12. Theoptical converter assembly of claim 10, further comprising a lenselement, wherein: the lens element includes a conical portion and acylindrical portion that is coupled to a first end of the conicalportion; the light converter is adhered to a surface of a second end ofthe conical portion; the housing defines a second opening at a secondend which is opposite the first end; the housing includes a conicalportion that includes the second opening and a cylindrical portion thatextends from the first end to the conical portion; and the magneticelement that extends around a circumferential inner surface of thecylindrical portion.
 13. A dental instrument assembly comprising: adental curing light; and the optical converter assembly of claim
 1. 14.An optical converter assembly that is selectively secured relative to adental curing light, the optical converter assembly comprising: ahousing that defines an internal volume between a first opening at afirst end and a second opening at a second end, the first opening and afirst portion of the internal volume being configured for receipt of aportion of a light-emitting portion of a curing light such that a curinglight of the dental curing light is aligned with the first opening andthe second opening; a magnetic element that is positioned within theinternal volume of the housing, wherein the magnetic element isconfigured for magnetic retention of the housing relative to the curinglight of the dental curing light; and a light converter that ispositioned in the internal volume between the first opening and thesecond opening such that input light emitted from the curing lightenters the internal volume and is received by the light converter,wherein the light converter is constructed of a phosphors matrixincluding a plurality of phosphor particles that in response to receiptof the input light, emits an output light via luminescence that is awhite light.
 15. The optical converter assembly of claim 14, wherein:the input light has a first set of wavelengths that includes a firstwavelength of about 405 nanometers (nm), a second wavelength of about440 nm, and a third wavelength of about 460 nm; the output light has asecond set of wavelengths that includes a first wavelength of about 405nm and a second wavelength of about 460 nm; and the third wavelength ofthe input light is converted to a blended spectrum above about 460 nm.16. The optical converter assembly of claim 15, wherein: the input lighthas a first radiant power of about 1067 milliwatt (mW); and the lightconverter attenuates the first radiant power such that the output lighthas a radiant power of about 173.7 mW.
 17. The optical converterassembly of claim 14, wherein: the input light includes one or morewavelengths a range of about 385 nanometers (nm) to about 515 nm; arange of about 440 nm to about 480 nm; or a range of about 395 nm toabout 480 nm; and the output light includes a correlated colortemperature between about 5400 Kelvins (K) to about 5600 K.
 18. Theoptical converter assembly of claim 14, wherein the light converter isconstructed of the phosphors matrix encapsulated between polymer sheets.19. The optical converter assembly of claim 14, further comprising alens element that is partially positioned in the housing, wherein: thelens element includes a conical portion and a cylindrical portion thatis coupled to a first end of the conical portion; the light converter isadhered to a surface of a second end of the conical portion; and theoutput light is directed by the cylindrical portion.
 20. The opticalconverter assembly of claim 14, wherein: the housing includes a conicalportion that includes the second opening and a cylindrical portion thatextends from the first end to the conical portion; and the magneticelement includes a magnetic ring that extends around a circumferentialinner surface of the cylindrical portion.